Principal Matters: November 11, 2002

Private schools in the UAE cater to the expatriate community by offering a range of curricula and methods of teaching. Each school has its own strengths and limitations. Every week, we profile one school and learn of its goals from a top school official

This week: An interview with Rocky Miller, Principal, Al Diyafah High School, Dubai

Rocky Miller would rather talk about his school than about his achievements. "Let your work speak for itself" is his motto in life. Besides a master's degree in English, Miller has degrees in education and in teaching English to speakers of other languages. His career began with Mt. Hermon's Residential School and St. Paul's School in Darjeeling, India. He went on to teach English to the Royal Princes in Nepal's Budhanilkantha School and after a 10-year stint at The Modern High School, Dubai, he joined Al Diyafah High School in 1999. Under his leadership, the school has evolved from a small kindergarten and junior school into a full fledged high school and has moved to its custom built new premises. He speaks about his ideas and dreams for his school.

How is Al Diyafah different from other schools?
Rocky MIller: We strive to impart value education with new dimensions that allow children to explore and expand their mental, physical and moral potentials. Ours is a school where 'the student comes first'. We want the child to look forward to coming to school every day.

Ours is probably one of the few privileged schools to have a nursery where children as young as 18 months are admitted. From Grade 3 upward, the After School Enrichment Programme‚ (ASEP) enables students to complete homework, avail of remedial classes in academics and get basic training in various sports and extracurricular activities.

We have a parent's council that meets once a term and discusses various matters with representatives from the school staff.

What is the most rewarding aspect of being a principal?
Every day is a special day in the life of a principal at school. Through the school years, the all-round growth and change that one witnesses in children must rank as the highlight of one's career. You don't know the satisfaction we get when these little kids grow into young adults and return one day to say how their lives were influenced by us.

Tell us about any innovative practices that you have introduced at Al Diyafah.
We invite guest speakers to interact with students, staff and parents to further enhance the education system. This year we intend to encourage students to learn to recapitulate a lesson by using the help of the World Wide Web and presenting their findings through Power Point in computers. Even a four-year-old will be able to explain a simple concept through such a presentation.

General Information about Al Diyafah High School, Dubai:

1. Location: Al Nahda 2, behind Dubai Women's College of Technology.
2. Number of shifts: One.
3. Timing: 8.00am to 12 noon for Nursery and KG sections and 8.00am to 1.50pm for higher classes.
4. Syllabus followed: British curriculum, leading to IGCSE examination.
5. Classes held: Nursery to Grade 8 (higher grades will open each year).
6. Languages of instruction: English.
7. Secondary languages taught: Hindi, French, Urdu, special Arabic.
8. Affiliated to: University of Cambridge - IGCSE.
9. Branches: None.
10. Transport: Provided, fees ranging from Dh135 to Dh210.
11. Tuition Fees: Dh428 to Dh665 payable for 10 months. Those paying a year's fees in advance get a special discount.
12. Number of students: 830.
13. Extracurricular activities offered: Sports - basketball, netball, cricket, table tennis, football, volleyball and ice skating.Other - debating, quiz, elocution, music, drama, scouts and guides, field trips, digital photography and career guidance.
14. Criteria for admission: Admission based on the results of an entrance test in English and mathematics.
15. Established: 1982.
16. Managed by: Board of Governors.
17. Owners: Ibrahim Abdullah and Basil D.Cunha.
18. Number of teachers: 69.
19. Scholarships: To be introduced.
20. Number of nationalities represented among students: 26.
21. Contact details: 04-2671115, www.diyafah.com